The High Court on Monday has asked the government to take necessary steps to stop the use of polythene bags and one-time plastic products across the country within a year. Special emphasis was given to the coastal region due to the high level of water pollution in the country. High Court has given the directive to the authorities concerned to monitor markets, seal off polythene-making factories and seize machinery used for its production. The progress report in this regard is to be submitted within a year.
The order is a welcome one, as the overuse of polythene and single-use plastic products is contributing to pollution. So far, 127 countries around the world have put restrictions on manufacture, distribution and use of plastic bags. Back in 2002, the government had enforced a complete ban on the sale and use of polythene bags in the capital, Dhaka. The decision was taken to save the city from an imminent environmental disaster. Environmental groups claim that millions of polythene bags disposed of everyday are clogging Dhaka's drainage system, posing a serious environmental hazard.
Viable alternatives to plastic bags need to be popularized as well
Polythene shopping bags were introduced into the country nearly four decades ago, quickly replacing jute bags traditionally used by Bangladeshi households. It has proved difficult to enforce the ban on plastic bags, as previous bans were disregarded by many. This time around, the authorities must ensure that the ban is enforced at all levels, starting from manufacturers to consumers. Awareness drives and campaigns need to be carried out in order to make the public understand the harmful effects of overusing plastics.
Moreover, if the government plans to halt the production of polythene-making factories, it must also come up with alternative employment opportunities as thousands are employed by the industry. Viable alternatives to plastic bags need to be popularized as well in order to completely eliminate plastic waste from our society.
